Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

10:15–10:22 a.m.
Friday, September 26, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

None

Question-and-Answer Session

Visit to Malaysia

Q: Let me ask you about your visit to Malaysia. There are growing concerns that free trade will be undermined due to the U.S. tariff measures. Could you share your view on what role Japan, as a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), should play?

A: During my visit to Malaysia on this occasion, I attended three meetings: the ASEAN Economic Ministers – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (AEM-METI) Consultation, the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Plus Three (Japan-China-Republic of Korea) Consultation, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting. Currently, ASEAN countries are facing unprecedented difficulties due to issues such as the U.S. tariff measures that you just mentioned and an oversupply of cheap products from some countries. Under the circumstances, I really felt that interest in strengthening supply chains and enhancing autonomy, as well as expectations for Japan, are higher than ever before. At this series of meetings, in order to provide maximum cooperation from Japan, I made proposals such as identifying key industries, sharing knowledge on developing these industries, advancing industries through the use of AI, and decarbonizing the automobile industry. The ASEAN countries demonstrated high expectations for Japan's proposal. In order to meet these expectations, we would like to steadily move forward with specific projects in the future. Also, all participating countries expressed strong support for maintaining and strengthening the free trade system and the importance of a rules-based trading order. I also sensed the ASEAN countries’ expectations that Japan will take the lead in discussions on regional trade frameworks. A positive stance was also shown regarding promoting the use of RCEP and the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) and expanding the number of RCEP member economies. Given these expectations on the part of each country, Japan, which has promoted free trade, intends to demonstrate leadership in developing free trade frameworks, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), while maintaining a high standard.

Actions to address U.S. tariff policy

Q: I would like to ask you about U.S. tariffs. This morning, President Trump expressed his intention to impose 100% tariffs on pharmaceuticals starting October 1. I would like to ask your view on this matter. I believe that Japan will receive the Most-Favored-Nation treatment in the joint statement, and taking that into consideration, I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.

A: I am aware of President Trump’s post made on social media that you mentioned. There have been similar statements made by U.S. government officials in the past, but I will refrain from commenting on individual remarks. We will have to continue to closely monitor how this will develop. Regarding the matter of the Most-Favored-Nation treatment, we will also continue to closely assess the impact it will have on Japan.

Q: I understand, of course, that Japan will receive the Most-Favored-Nation treatment, but I personally feel uncertainty about it. In order to obtain a commitment from the U.S. regarding on this matter, are there any preparations or policies that need to be communicated with the U.S.? Also, in the event that there are any impacts in this regard, what kind of support do you think will be provided to industries?

A: Pharmaceuticals were mentioned in this statement, but I believe that we must naturally take adequate measures to address such an issue as in the case of semiconductors, which has been previously discussed, based on simulations. This time, however, pharmaceuticals are just mentioned in a tweet, and there is no way to know what actions the U.S. authorities will actually take. Including such uncertain situation, I think it is natural that we have to consider actions to address the matter.

Q: I would like to ask you about the U.S. tariffs. The U.S. announced a 25% tariff on heavy trucks at the same time as pharmaceuticals. I understand that some details, such as the size of trucks, are not yet known, but I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter and how you will respond to the matter going forward.

A: I understand that it a 25% tariff on trucks was also mentioned in the post. This was the same post as the one mentioned earlier, though it was posted at a slightly different time. As in the case of pharmaceuticals, since we don't yet have a full understanding of the details, we will need to continue to closely monitor the situation.